LIT off-campus student self-reports testing positive for COVID-19
Published 2:44 pm Tuesday, April 21, 2020
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PRESS RELEASE — BEAUMONT – A Lamar Institute of Technology student self-reported the college’s first case of COVID-19. This student has been off-campus since March 10, was enrolled online, and has had no physical contact with any other LIT students or employees.
Despite national travel advisements, the student took an out-of-state trip during spring break, then started displaying symptoms, but had the foresight to self-quarantine. As an update, the student has since recovered, all classrooms have been deep cleaned and sanitized, the faculty of record were notified, and the student will not return to campus.
President Lonnie L. Howard said, “I am so grateful that the student has recovered, the college’s safety protocols are working, and we will continue to adhere to the intent of Governor Abbott’s Executive Order (No. GA-16). Based on this order, mandates from our county and local leaders, and the guidance from the medical community, we will stay the course a little while longer.”
LIT will remain closed for in-person instruction for about the next two weeks until the spring semester ends. Although, some essential staff and training might return before then. Regarding the spring semester, the college has over 4,300 credit and non-credit students enrolled, and all but about 290 will be able to fully complete due to missing hands-on training (labs). LIT is offering these students an opportunity to come back at no cost during the summer or a later semester and finish this training. In accordance with Executive Order No. GA-16, certain career and technical programs are allowed to resume hands-on training (labs) under strict CDC guidelines.
Students should start planning now to attend this summer and fall. Financial Aid and Pell Grants are available, and LIT could receive an unprecedented $1,836,000 from the federal CARES Act that might help with tuition, housing, childcare, etc. To be eligible for Financial Aid and Pell Grants, students will need to complete FAFSA applications at https://studentaid.gov/. The CARES Act application information should be available in a few days at lit.edu.
